Forking Tasty

No Frills

When I was ten years old part of my weekly adventure was accompanying my mother to the food store. In 1984, on Long Island, the major supermarket was Pathmark. At the time, I had no idea I wanted to be a designer. I had no idea I would come to love great advertising and marketing because of the emotional reach it could have. I had no idea great design could subconciously change peoples behavior. What I did know is that I loved the NO FRILLS aisle. The NO FRILLS aisle amalgamated all supermarket items from canned spaghetti to laundry detergent into one simplistic, typographically genius, less-is-more designed, perfectly merchandised  row. At a time of “new and improved”, “extra-strength” and “free prize inside” package design the NO FRILLS aisle was way ahead of it’s time in both aesthetics as well as convenience. Think Apple Store and Muji. Years later, I now realize what I felt and my behavior in the NO FRILLS aisle were the catalyst for my entire career. In particular, my focus on the power of behavioral science in my designs, marketing and communication with consumers stems from this aha moment.

Sadly, the NO FRILLS aisle no longer exists. On a recent trip to Canada my Mother-in-Law took me to Loblaws, one of Canada’s largest supermarkets, for a special surprise…

Thanksgiving in Canada

I bet yesterday was a rough day back. I hope you all had as amazing and as restful a Thanksgiving weekend as I did. I clocked in with an average of 8.5 hours of sleep per night. That’s unheard of in this family. Well rested and well fed I share with you a few of the delicious, authentic, fresh and traditional goodie’s my amazing mother-in-law whipped up for our London, Ontario Thanksgiving weekend starting with the above channa masala.

To set the tone here’s a little video of…

Booked Solid

One of the things that is great when you’re a crew member on a ship is when you stay at a port overnight. This will allow some of the crew to go out to dinner, which is rare on cruises. We had an overnight in Quebec City, which has a lot of restaurants. I walked around town a little early that day, around 3pm, to scout out and ask some local shop owners about there favorite restaurants in town and the most authentic restaurants. I had a few places that were mentioned a couple of times and they were not to far from the ship. I rounded up a couple people and off we went.

The Best Of The Best – Alaska

Alaska Food Highlights from Anthony Anello on Vimeo.

Alaska was fun but now I am in Mexico. However, before I move on and start blogging about taco’s, enchiladas, and cerveza I put together a little video of the best of the best from Alaska. Enjoy!

Unreal Scallops in B.C.

Ferris Oyster Bar – Victoria B.C. from Anthony Anello on Vimeo.

I have not been to Victoria British Columbia a lot yet. I just started my next contract on the ship and was recommended by two friends to head to Ferris’ Upstairs Oysterbar. I only have a couple of weeks left on these Alaska runs and I can’t wait to go back. Victoria is a fun little city with lots of restaurants and bars. Hope I get a chance to try as many places as I can.

Does Vancouver Have A Good Burger?

Vera’s Burger Shack, Vancouver from Anthony Anello on Vimeo.

Diabetic Blood Sugar Count
Pre-meal: 108 | Post-meal (1 hour): 176 | Insulin: 5 Units

The Burgers I have experienced in Vancouver have horrible but after talking to a few locals they confirmed my choices of burgers. My friend from the ship that lives in Vancouver directed me to Vera’s Burger Shack. It just happens to be in a short walking distance from the ship. To my surprise it was located in the heart of Vancouver’s Jazz Feast. Check out the video on how it all went down.

First Shawerma Since Iceland

Aladdin Cafe – Vancouver from Anthony Anello on Vimeo.

I was walking around Vancouver and was looking for something good and cheap to eat. I passed by the Aladdin Café and they had Shawerma, and I love Shawerma. I got the works and it really hit the spot. I met the owners and they come from Iraq and decorated the inside of the restaurant with items that represent their culture. The owners are very nice people and the food was good. I just wish I could have smoked the hooka but they were only for display.

Aladdins Shawerma Cafe

(778) 881-7916
Downtown
720 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z

Please Stick To The Crepes

Cafe Crepe, Vancouver from Anthony Anello on Vimeo.

I will tell you this, that is the last time I go into a crepe restaurant and get a hotdog and a burger. Seriously, what was I thinking in the first place? I’ll have to go back and get their crepes for breakfast. Cafe Crepe has to do better.

From a Earthquake at Our Feet to a Rumble in Our Tummies

Kelsey and I wanted to check out a Museum while in Quebec and got out early. The museum had an exhibit were you stand in a box that looks like a room in your house and it shakes to show you what an earthquake would feel like. Both of us live on the east coast so we have never felt a quake before. They let you feel the shake of a category 4, 5 and then 7…

Creamy Filling

The night before, we passed by a rare sighting of a restaurant that was not Italian or a crepe place. We made sure we took advantage of it the next night for dinner and went to Cotes a Cotes. What was intriguing is one of Kesley’s favorite apps spinach artichoke dip was on the outside menu.